Interesting article on Lefties at Wrigley

[ryno4ever]

From Cubs.com: (http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070104&content_id=1773181&vkey=news_chc&fext=.jsp&c_id=chc)

You've got mail: With the addition of Ted Lilly and Hill in the rotation, Lee H. of Warwick, England, e-mailed to ask how left-handed pitchers have fared at Wrigley Field over the years. Baseball historian Ed Hartig did his homework, and came up with this answer:

Over the last 10 years, from 1997-2006, Cubs lefty starters are 28-48 at Wrigley with a 5.13 ERA in 117 games. They've thrown three complete games (Andrew Lorraine in 1999 and Hill had two in 2006, although one was five innings) and have given up 99 home runs over 647 1/3 innings.

Prior to 1997, no Cubs lefty started a game at Wrigley from 1994-96. In addition, the Cubs used southpaw starters at Wrigley only once in 1998, not at all in 2001, and twice in 2002.

The last time Cubs lefty starters posted a winning record at Wrigley was in 1998 when Terry Mulholland started and won the only game started by a Cubs lefty at the park that season. The last Cubs southpaw to win at least five games at Wrigley in a season was Greg Hibbard, who went 7-6 in 1993.

At least one Cubs lefty starter won at least five games at Wrigley each year from 1960-70. The last time two lefty starters did it in the same year was in 1961 with Jack Curtis (8-4) and **** Ellsworth (6-7). Ellsworth won at least five games as a starter at Wrigley every year from 1961-65 and Ken Holtzman did so from 1966-70. In 1967, Holtzman was 5-0 in seven starts at Wrigley.

Ellsworth holds the Cubs' record for lefty starters at Wrigley with 123 starts, 51 wins and 49 losses. Holtzman is the only other Cubs southpaw with 100 starts at Wrigley with 106 (44-37 record in starts). Hippo Vaughn is second in wins as a starter at Wrigley with 46 (against 38 losses in 97 starts) from 1916-21.

The most starts by Cubs southpaws in a season at Wrigley was 43 by six Chicago lefties in 1966: Ellsworth, Holtzman, Bob Hendley, Curt Simmons, Dave Dowling and Rich Nye.

Vaughn and Lefty Tyler combined for 24 wins in 1918 -- the most wins by Cubs lefty starters at Wrigley in a season.

These are pretty amazing stats! All the more reason to keep Hill in a Cubs uniform.... he has some pretty awesome potential.

[diehardnorthsider]

I hear that!!! When I lived in Iowa I went to I-Cubs games all the time and Hill was always lights out. I can't wait to see how his career in the bigs pans out...great I hope

[HOLYCOW!25]

Let's hope Hill does like he did at the end of last year. He's definetly got potential.

[Webgem]

Don't forget about our other lefty....Lilly....:)

[SkullKey]

Ya , but what does all that data actually say ?

[Brutus T Manstrength]

I don't think it really says anything.. I mean, the numbers didn't look very good to me.. but you're telling me that the Big Unit wouldn't have put up the same numbers in wrigley? I'm guessing it's pitcher to pitcher more than the venue.

[Al Spanglers ghost]

I don't think it really says anything.. I mean, the numbers didn't look very good to me.. but you're telling me that the Big Unit wouldn't have put up the same numbers in wrigley? I'm guessing it's pitcher to pitcher more than the venue.

I agree,the Cubs ,for what ever reason,have just never had a lot of quality left handed starting pitchers. In the almost 40 years I've been a fan, I can only think of a handful. Ken Holtzman probably being the best,and that's over 30 years ago.
Steve Trout was solid in 1984,but wasn't around that long.
Gregg Hibbard won 15 games in 1993.
Terry Mulholland and Glendon Rush in the resent past,but they were swing men and not really in the rotation.
There have not been many portsiders,and not many to remember much about.

[newt07]

I agree,the Cubs ,for what ever reason,have just never had a lot of quality left handed starting pitchers. In the almost 40 years I've been a fan, I can only think of a handful. Ken Holtzman probably being the best,and that's over 30 years ago.
Steve Trout was solid in 1984,but wasn't around that long.
Gregg Hibbard won 15 games in 1993.
Terry Mulholland and Glendon Rush in the resent past,but they were swing men and not really in the rotation.
There have not been many portsiders,and not many to remember much about.

Do you remember what Trout did his last 2 starts for the cubs before he was traded?

[newt07]

Trout pitched complete game shutouts in his last 2 games for the cubs in 87, beating the Padres and the Dodgers. he was then traded to the Yankees.

[Al Spanglers ghost]

Trout pitched complete game shutouts in his last 2 games for the cubs in 87, beating the Padres and the Dodgers. he was then traded to the Yankees.

You're right,I had forgotten about that.
The biggest game Trout ever pitched as a Cub,was the 2nd game of the 1984
NLCS'which he won 4-2 over those dam Padres.I remember it well because it was the only Cub post season game I ever saw in person.
As far as I can remember,next to Kenny Holtzman,Rainbow Trout was probably
as good a lefty starter the Cubs have had in the last 40 years.

[ChinMusic22]

I think that article goes in circles. On one hand the Lefty Cubs never really has done good, but at the same token there hasn't been a stud lefty in the rotation in forever.

I like Hill's potential, but I still think he's got a lot to prove.

[scuba]

We'll just have to see what happens. I don't know if I would call either Lilly or Hill studs just yet, but I do think that they will do better than the other lefties we have had in the past. As long as they are good I think we have a great chance this year. :)